Paralympic star heads to Stoke Mandeville Stadium for record attempt

| Published: Jul 7th 2016

Stoke Mandeville Stadium will be the last venue for Paralympic star Javi Conde on Sunday, July 10, as he attempts to become the first athlete in the world to run marathons in all 28 cities that have hosted the Olympic and Paralympic games. He will start his record-breaking bid at 9.30am with the aim of completing 105 laps of the track in approx. 3hrs and 30mins. Supported not only by fellow Spanish Paralympian Xavi Maltas and athlete Jon Salvado, but also by local athletes that are invited to join them in the marathon; members of the public are also welcome to come and cheer them on. Javi said: “We want this to be a participatory athletics party and we welcome anyone that wants to take part by running a few laps or the whole marathon”. “The only thing they need to bear in mind is that the marathon is not a competition or race and it will be run at a fixed pace.” The marathons are part of a project called ‘Solidary Marathons’ started by Javi in 2010 with the aim of celebrating Paralympic sport and raising money for charity. Javi continued: “Finishing this project in the town where the Paralympic movement originated in 1948 is very special for me and I am very excited. “This race has involved a huge amount of work, but it is really worth considering the 170,000€ (around £130,000) we have been able to raise and donate to several charities during these six years.” Peter Hoare, president of Vale of Aylesbury Athletic Club said: “The club is delighted to be involved with Javi and Jon's marathon and very happy to be of assistance. "I well remember the Paralympics taking place at Stoke Mandeville in 1984. Our Club hut was requisitioned to serve as a drug testing station and the area surrounding the track was a wonderful sight with a real carnival atmosphere, so many tents, marquees and flags. “Pride of place was a grandstand built along the length of the original 100m tarmac straight. “I leave it now to those athletes who choose to accompany Javi and Jon, in fulfillment of their quest, to provide every encouragement in this, their final endeavour.